Installation of Officers

The business portion of the 2012 USY International Convention concluded with the installation of the 2013 USY International Executive Board. The evening also featured presentation of USY Chapter of the Year award to Orangetown Jewish Center in Orangeburg, NY (METNY).

Praying with our Feet: Rally Against Gun Violence

Their voices united in song and chants of “Enough is Enough,” USYers made their presence known in Boston’s Copley Square while “Praying with our Feet: Rally Against Gun Violence.” The rally also marked the 40th yahrzeit of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel – whose iconic phrase that he was “praying with his feet” when he marched in Selma, Ala. with the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965 was adapted by guest speaker Pastor Corey Brooks of Project Hood earlier this year in his Walk Across America to End Gun Violence. Colin Goddard from the Brady Campaign to end Gun Violence – who himself is a survivor of the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007 – also addressed the delegates.

IC Shaharit Live

IC Shaharit Live! has become a staple at USY International Convention. The inspiring prayers were accompanied by multimedia components, a band of USYers and USY staff, and Artist-in-Residence Josh Nelson.

Israel Triathlon and Warehouse Minyan

Tuesday evening featured two innovative programs at USY’s International Convention. The first was an Israeli Triathlon that offered delegates a chance to experience Israel through a variety of activities and was capped by a visit from Shlomo Lipetz from the Israel National Baseball Team. That was followed by a Warehouse Minyan, presented by Artist-in-Residence Josh Nelson and the Josh Nelson Project.

Changemakers/President’s Address

Each year, USY recognizes members who are making a positive impact in their local communities. These “Changemakers” had an opportunity to share their personal experience through a video montage. 2012 USY International President Joshua Ull then addressed the delegation for the final time with his year-long message: Get Excited. Get Inspired. Get Involved.

Candidates’ Forum

USY International Convention includes the annual election of officers to lead the organization. Each candidate has an opportunity answer questions posed by current International Executive Board members to highlight their perspective as related to the office they seek. Temma Kingsley, International Vice President of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, offered greetings at the beginning of the session.

Zen Den

The educational theme for the 2012 USY International Convention is “God and Spirituality”. In their first educational session, USYers looked at the Shema through different lenses, including through dance, medicataion, music, art, and more.